Source: Northern_Echo
Taylor deal at an impasse
NEWCASTLE officials insist they will not be drawn into a bidding war for Swansea City full-back Neil Taylor.[LNB] Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins formally rejected the Magpies' £1m offer for Taylor yesterday evening, despite a clause in the 22-year-old's contract that appeared to pave the way for a move to the North-East.[LNB] Jenkins claims the clause only enables Taylor to talk to a club that tables a £1m offer for his services, while Newcastle were under the impression that the defender would be free to leave the Liberty Stadium if the £1m ceiling was reached.[LNB] Lawyers from both parties are understood to be examining the fine print of Taylor's current deal, with the situation becoming increasingly acrimonious.[LNB] Jenkins fanned the flames over the weekend by slapping a £10m price tag on Taylor's head, and while the Swans chief is privately understood to be much more realistic about the defender's valuation, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will not be tabling a succession of increased offers in an attempt to force his hand.[LNB] As things stand, the Magpies' £1m bid will be their final offer, and if a deal is not forthcoming, they will turn their attention elsewhere.[LNB] "We recognise Neil as a young, talented Welsh player that has an important role to play at this club," said Jenkins. "We brought him here from Wrexham and have helped nurture his development.[LNB] "He adjusted very well to the Championship last season and we look forward to seeing him play a big role as we enter the Premier League. That is why we have rejected Newcastle's bid. I spoke to Neil's agent and he understands the situation."[LNB] As well as attempting to break the current impasse involving Taylor, Pardew will also spend the next 24 hours stepping up his pursuit of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson.[LNB] The Newcastle boss has already overseen a busy period of transfer business, with Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Sylvain Marveaux all having moved to Tyneside since the end of the season, but he is not about to finish there and Gibson has emerged as his latest target.[LNB] The Republic of Ireland international has been told he is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, with Manchester United officials having accepted a combined £12m bid from Sunderland for Gibson, Wes Brown and John O'Shea.[LNB] Pardew has been monitoring Gibson's situation closely, and regards the 23-year-old as a ready-made replacement for Joey Barton, who is expected to complete a cut-price move away from St James' Park after refusing to sign a new contract in the second half of last season.[LNB] There has been no formal offer for Gibson yet, but Pardew is expected to hold talks with Sir Alex Ferguson this week.[LNB] However, despite weekend reports emanating from France, the Magpies manager has no interest in Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko.[LNB]
